Facial exerciser and muscle building aid



Aug. 25, 1970 P, DWYER 3,525,520

FACIAL EXERCISER AND MUSCLE BUILDING AID Filed Dec. 29, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INVENIOR. ewe/cm DWYEK By Q41 @M ATTORNEYS I l I Aug. 25, 1970 DWYER 3,525,520

FACIAL EXERCISER AND MUSCLE BUILDING AID Filed Dec. 29, 1967 2 Sheena-Sheet 2 .FE A5 INVENTOR. five/cm 1 0 ,I I BY M 2 Kg W ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,525,520 FACIAL EXERCISER AND MUSCLE BUILDING AID Patricia Dwyer, 3307 W. 65th St., Chicago, Ill. 60637 Filed Dec. 29, 1967, Ser. No. 694,697 Int. Cl. A63b 23/00 US. Cl. 272-57 17 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A facial exerciser comprising a body portion adapted to be disposed in the mouth of the user between the teeth and external walls of the month, which may be provided with a tooth rest adapted to be disposed between the teeth, with the body portion being constructed to permit compression thereof by relative movement between the lower and upper jaw of the user.

The invention relates generally to a facial muscle exerciser or facial toner and firmer and more particularly to an exerciser structure which is adapted to be placed in the mouth of the user.

The value of exercises involving resistance or isometric reaction has been well established with respect tobody building programs and the like, and the present invention is directed to a facial exerciser which makes use of established principles of resistance or isometric reaction with respect to the face, particularly the cheeks, lips and chin muscles. Thus, the invention involves a device for enabling the toning and firming of muscles of the face, principally around the mouth and cheeks by means of controlled resistance to muscle action as distinguished from facial massage and the like where the skin is stretched and worked rather than relying uponmuscle action and can also be employed in connection with the exercising of eye muscles.

The invention therefore has among its objects the production of a facial exerciser which is adapted to be placed in the mouth and provide resistance for the surrounding face and jaw muscles, by means of which an efiicient and beneficial firming and toning of the facial muscles and skin may be achieved.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a facial exerciser which is extremely simple in con: struction and easy and simple to use, comprising a selfcontained structure having no wires or electrical connections, etc. and which is completely portable and private in usage.

A further object of the invention is the production of such a facial exerciser which may be very inexpensive to manufacture, capable of being kept in a sanitary condition and durable in usage.

Many other objects and advantages of the construction herein shown and described will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate like or corresponding partsz.

FIG. 1 is a section through the upper and lower jaws, illustrating in a simple manner the utilization of the invention in the mouth of the user;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the facial exerciser in its normal undeformed shape;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the exerciser illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of an exerciser which provided with a handle structure;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the exerciser illustrated in FIG. 4 taken approximately on the line VV of FIG. 4;

may be 3,525,520 Patented Aug. 25, 1970 ice FIG. 6 is an end elevational view of an exerciser constructed in accordance with the invention, but having a generally arcuate transverse cross-sectional shape;

FIG. 7 is a rear view, similar to FIG. 3, illustrating an embodiment employing a plastic reinforcing element;

FIG. 8 is a section of the exerciser of FIG. 7, taken approximately on the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of a further embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a front view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a transverse section taken approximately on the line XIXI of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an exerciser for only one side of the face; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exerciser for only the upper lip.

The present invention contemplates an exerciser which is adapted to be disposed within the mouth of the user, the exerciser being of a size and shape to require compression of the exerciser structure to permit closing of the jaw or mouth of the user and thus necessitating the application of muscular force to accomplish the same. In so doing, the exerciser provides a resistance or isometric function to build up and develop the facial muscles which, in an older person, tends to improve the tone and firmness of the facial muscles. I

Referring to the drawings and more particular to FIGS. 1 to 3, the embodiment of the invention illustrated comprises a body portion indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 which, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, is of substantially uniform thickness, having a generally planar front wall 2 and rear Wall 3 extending parallel thereto and provided with a generally arcuate configuration, having a curved lower edge face 4, rounded ends 5, and preferably with an enlarged or rounded upper portion 6 having a generally arcuate top edge 7. The overall width from rounded end to rounded end and vertical height from the lower edge 4 to the upper edge 7 are so proportioned that the body portion, as illustrated in FIG. 1, may be disposed between the lips 8-9 and teeth 10-11 of the user, requiring compression of the body portion to bring the jaws together, as clearly illustrated in FIG. 1,

with the narrow portions or valleys 12 tending to localize bending thereat, thereby functioning as hinge portions.

To facilitate the use of the exerciser, it may be provided with a generally arcuate-shaped tooth rest indicated generally by the numeral 13 which in the embodiment illustrated is constructed of the same material as the body portion 1 and likewise provided with a generally planar rear face 14, the lower edge 15 being generally shaped similarly similarly to the corresponding edge 4 of the body porton and provided with a concave upperedge 16. As clearly illustrated in FIG. 3, the ends may be rounded as indicated at 17.

The body portion 1 is so constructed that it may be compressed by the jaw action of the user, which compression may be suitably derived by the general construction and configuration of the body portion or by means of the specific material comprising the body portion. I have found that a sponge rubber material is particularly effective, meaning either synthetic or natural sponge rubher or plastic which preferably is porous, whereby saliva and air may flow relatively freely through the body struc tue. In the embodiment illustrated the tooth rest is fabricated from the same sponge rubber material. In fabricating the exerciser, the body portion and tooth rest, if any, may -be formed as an integral molded structure, which may, for example, be of the foamed type, or may be fabricated from sheet material such as a sheet of foam rubber, with the body portion and tooth rest being cut therefrom as separate pieces which are suitably adhesively or otherwise secured into a unitary structure.

As previously mentioned, the body portion 1 is of a size to be placed in the open mouth with the tooth rest 13 disposed between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws and the body portion 1 disposed between the teeth and the lips, the length and height of the body portion being such that resistance is exerted thereby upon the mouth of the user when the jaws are brought together. The rounded end portions 5 of the body portion function as check exercisers and muscle builders, fitting to contract to counteract the applied forces. The narrow portions or valleys, as mentioned act as a hinge allowing the portions 5 to bend into the cheeks, while the portion 7 presses high into the upper lip causing muscle stress in this area.

Many different facial exercises can be performed with this exerciser, as for example, the well known so-called classic facial exercises. As previously mentioned, the exerciser preferably is made of porous-like material having relatively high porosity to permit the relatively free flow of saliva and air through the exerciser.

The saliva flow is desirable to insure a flow of saliva to all parts of the mouth and thus prevent an unnatural drying action which might be both uncomfortable and tend to reduce the value of the exercising action, while the possibility of air flow eliminates the necessity of breathing through the nose and thus enables comfortable use of the exerciser even though the user may be sufiering from a cold or other nasal condition.

In some cases it may be desirable to provide the exerciser with an air passageway 18, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Also illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 is an additional feature which may be employed, comprising a handle member 19 which is illustrated as being of generally L-shape and secured to the body portion 1 by a reinforcing member 21 illustrated as comprising a generally flat base portion 22 having a tubular boss or sleeve 23 integrally formed therewith and extending outwardly therefrom, the bore of the cylindrical portion 23 being aligned with the passageway 18 in the body portion. The base member 22 may be suitably secured to the body portion by suitable ad hesive or other means and the handle 19 may be secured in the cylindrical portion 23 by means of a press fit or the like, whereby it may be removed therefrom when desired. The base portion 22 may also have one or more projections 24 integrally formed therewith and extending into complementary recesses formed in the body portion, such projections likewise being adhesively or otherwise secured to the body portion and providing a reinforcement for the assembled structure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a slightly modified configuration of the body portion, in which the front and rear faces 2 and 3 respectively of the body portion and the rear face 14 of the tooth rest are generally arcuate in cross-section instead of being planar as illustrated in FIG. 2.

In some applications it may be desirable to reinforce the structure, an example of such construction being illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. This construction is generally similar to those of FIGS. 2 and 3, with the addition of a flexible plastic insert 25, which is illustrated as having respective exposed portions 26 and 27, of a suitable plastic to which the particular sponge material will adhere, and an enlarged embedded portion 28. If desired the insert 25 may be provided with an opening 27 therein as an air passage. FIG. 9 illustrates an exerciser which omits the tooth rest 13, the body portion 1 having a hollow or recess 29 at its lower edge 4. This arrangement reduces any tendency to create a gagging sensation and may be desirable for use as a 'beginners exerciser.

FIGS. and 11 illustrate an exerciser similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9, but provided with a reinforcing insert 31, which is of generally bow or yoke-shaped, and illustrated as being of generally rectanglar cross-section.

4 The insert 31 may be suitably formed with the sponge portions of the device or may be subsequently applied by means of a suitable adhesive.

In some cases it may be desirable to, at least temporarily, localize exercise to a cheek, for example by a stroke victim, in which case the exerciser may be constructed as illustrated in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 respectively. The construction of FIG. 12 is illustrated as comprising a generally cylindrical body portion 5, generally corresponding to the portion 5 of the previously described embodiments, having a substantially fiat side 32 which, in use, will be disposed in the mouth with a flat side facing toward the center of the face. To help maintain the exerciser in position flexible or resilient tooth anchors in the form of loops 33 may be provided, which are adapted to be sprung over respective teeth in the upper and lower jaw. However, in many instances the exerciser may be retained in place without difficulty without the use of such anchors.

In the event such localization is to take place at the upper lip the exerciser may be constructed as illustrated in FIG. 13, in which the body portion 6' is illustrated as being generally planar having generally planar end edges, while this upper edge is convex and the lower edge concave, forming a more or less crescent-shaped structure. The structure is provided with anchors 33 at opposite ends thereof which may be sprung over respective teeth of the upper jaw.

In addition to the use of the structures of FIGS. 12 and 13 as exercisers, it may be desirable in some cases to wear the devices as a facial aid, or as a facial feature alterant.

Other than in rare cases the constructions of FIGS. 12 and 13 would be used singularly. The construction of FIG. 13, in addition to its use as an upper lip exerciser and relaxer and an alterant may be used at night to prevent pursing of the lips etc. in which case the loops 33 insure proper positioning and retention.

To facilitate the use of the exerciser and progressive development of the facial muscles, the exerciser may be produced in a plurality of sizes, as for example, small, medium and large, whereby the user may advance progressively from the smaller size to the larger. Likewise, provision also may be made for users who wear dentures, in which case the teeth rest may be made correspondingly thicker from top to bottom to enable the exerciser to be effectively utilized with the dentures removed from the mouth, whereby the member 13 becomes in effect a gum rest. In this case the exerciser has the advantage of providing a building up which firming and toning will tend to compensate for gum shrinkage and loss of dental support to the face.

Having thus described my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein given that I have provided a novel facial exerciser which will enable the practice of exercises utilizing a resistance or isometric reaction of extremely beneficial nature.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the appended claims which define what is believed to be new and desired to have protected by Letters Patent.

I claim:

1. A facial exerciser comprising a body member of a size and shape for reception in the month between the teeth and the mouth walls, said body member being constructed to permit compression thereby by relative movement between the upper and lower jaws of a user, and of generally arcuate configuration having a convex lower edge, rounded ends and a central enlargement having a convex top edge whereby the top edge of the member comprises three convex portions.

2. A facial exerciser according to claim 1, comprising in further combination, an elongated member extending inwardly from the inner side of said body member, of a size and shape for reception between the upper and lower jaw tooth lines of the respective ,jaws of a user.

3. A facial exerciser according to claim 2, wherein said body and elongated members are constructed of a porous material in which the pores open on the respective surfaces of the members, permitting saliva and air flow therethrough.

4. A facial exerciser according to claim 1 wherein said exerciser is provided with a centrally disposed opening extending therethrough from front to rear thereof.

5. A facial exerciser according to claim 1, wherein said body portion is provided with a front face which is convex in vertical cross-section.

6. A facial exerciser according to claim 2, wherein said elongated member is of a size and shape to permit reception thereof between the teeth of the upper and lower jaws of a user.

7. A facial exerciser according to claim 2, wherein said elongated member has a vertical thickness which is too great to permit operative disposition between upper and lower teeth of a user but is of a thickness to provide operative disposition between the toothless jaws of a denture user.

8. A facial exerciser according to claim 1, comprising in further combination a handle member secured to said body member and extending outwardly from the front face thereof.

9. A facial exerciser according to claim 9, wherein said handle member is generally L-shaped, extending outward and downward from the body member, said handle member being secured to said body member by a relatively plate-like base member attached to the body member, said base member having reinforcing projections thereon extending into the body member and a tubular socket portion in which the adjacent end of the handle member is disposed.

10. A facial exerciser according to claim 2, comprising in further combination an insert of plastic of generally arcuate configuration disposed in and forming a reinforcement for said body member.

11. A facial exerciser according to claim 11, wherein portions of said insert extend to at least one face of the exerciser.

12. A facial exerciser comprising a body member of a size and shape for reception in the mouth between the teeth and the mouth walls, said body member being constructed to permit compression thereby by relative movement between the upper and lower jaws of a user, and of generally arcuate configuration having rounded ends,

with the central portion having a convex top edge and a concave bottom edge, forming two generally circular end portions connected by the central arcuate shaped bridge portion.

13. A facial exerciser according to claim 12, comprising a reinforcing member disposed along the bottom edge of said central portion.

14. A facial exerciser for only one side of the face comprising a body member of a size and shape for reception in the month between the teeth and the mouth walls, said body member being constructed to permit compression thereby by relative movement between the upper and lower jaws of a user, said body member being generally circular in shape having a flattened edge portion adapted to face toward the center of the face, and means on said body member for anchoring the latter to the teeth of a user.

15. A facial exerciser according to claim 14, wherein said anchoring means comprises flexible loops respectively engageable with the upper and lower teeth of a user.

16. A facial exerciser according to claim 15, wherein said anchoring means comprises a flexible loop at each latteral end of the body member engageable with respective upper teeth of a user.

17. A facial exerciser for only the upper lip of a user, comprising a body member of a size and shape for reception in the month between the teeth and the mouth walls, said body member being constructed to permit compression thereby by relative movement between the upper and lower jaws of a user, said body member being generally rectangular in shape and adapted to be disposed between the upper lip and the upper jaw, and means on said body member for anchoring the latter to the teeth of a user.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,249,721 7/ 1941 Morris 128-62 2,568,197 9/1951 Laflin 128-76 3,600,935 10/1962 Riddell 128-136 XR 3,286,576 11/1966 West.

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,126,012 7/1956 France.

LAWRENCE W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner UNITED STATES PATEILT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 525, 520 Dated August 25, 1970 lnvento -(x) Patricia Dwyer It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 52, delete "similarly"; lines 52-53, change "porton" to --portion- I Column 3, line 11, after "fitting" insert --into the cheeks and stressing the cheek muscles which are thus forced--; last line, change "rectanglar" to rectangular- Column 5, line 26, change "claim 9" to --claim 8-; line 39, change "claim ll" to --claim l0--.

Column 6, line 23, change "latteral" to --lateral--.

Signed and sealed this I 2th day of October, 1971 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Acting Commissioner of Patents USCOMM'DC 60370-969 I FORM PO-IOSO [IO-69] a u s. covnuuun rrmmuc ornca; nu o-su-su 

